Did any one else here the Prez say tha they expect only 5% to use the Public OPtion

[Perky]

And that the Exchange would take four years to set up correctly?

[Eric J in MN]

1. Obama said "less than 5 percent of Americans" would use the public option.

My answer is that the public option is too restricted if that's what they expect.

They should let big businesses (not just small businesses) choose the public option, and then a lot more people would use it.

[lapfog_1]

2. No.. the number is 5%. - n/t

And the exchange will take 4 years (WTF???) and there will be the McCain bandaid in the interim.

[DJ13]

3. Yep

Protecting the insurance industry from government competition seems part of the reform.

[Uzybone]

4. The speech has been posted many times...

here are the lines

"In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5% of Americans would sign up. "


"And all insurance companies that want access to this new marketplace will have to abide by the consumer protections I already mentioned. This exchange will take effect in four years, which will give us time to do it right. In the meantime, for those Americans who can’t get insurance today because they have pre-existing medical conditions, we will immediately offer low-cost coverage that will protect you against financial ruin if you become seriously ill. This was a good idea when Senator John McCain proposed it in the campaign, it’s a good idea now, and we should embrace it. "

[Hekate]

5. 5% ... 4 years ... immediate outlawing of "pre-existing conditions" exclusions...

This means my son can decide to change jobs when he's ready; this means if he ever has to buy his own insurance he actually can do so. This is a huge relief to me, personally.

I am not so sure how the rest of it will benefit my self-employed, pregnant, currently minus insurance married daughter. She's signing up for a state-funded affordable family program, and I referred her to S-CHIP for her 4 y.o. son as well. I'll feel more relief for her when CONGRESS gets its shit together and passes a meaningful bill.

Hekate

[dgibby]

6. Yep. n/t